Exciting News: Our School Joins the Delft NestWacht Initiative!

By Ingrid Beekhuizen

Wij zijn NestWachters
We are thrilled to announce that our school is now part of the NestWacht team initiative! This exciting project allows us to support local bird populations while learning about nature and technology in a hands-on way.
 
As part of the program, the PYP7s voted on which bird we wanted to attract to our nest. Our choices were the Huismus (House Sparrow, currently on the red endangered list), the Koolmees (Great Tit), and the Pimpelmees (Eurasian Blue Tit). After a lively discussion and careful consideration, we decided on the Pimpelmees as our chosen bird!

With the help of our PYP7 student-teachers, Mr. Alex and Mr. Tim, we built and installed a wooden birdhouse in a tree near our school. But this isn’t just any birdhouse! Equipped with a 4G-powered camera system and a solar panel, the nest will transmit real-time visuals and data, allowing us to monitor the activity of our feathered guests.

We are hopeful that a new family of Pimpelmees will move in this spring. Adult birds have already started scouting for nesting sites, and we can’t wait to see if our nest becomes their new home!
 
This project is more than just an opportunity to watch birds up close. By participating, our students are becoming ‘citizen scientists’, contributing valuable information to a national initiative aimed at protecting local wildlife. Urban birds are struggling to find natural nesting places, and we are proud to play a small but meaningful role in helping these creatures thrive, contributing to a more sustainable world.
 
Stay tuned for tweets as we track our new bird family’s journey!